Over the past 18 months, a small group of Budgewoi locals have been rejuvenating a small foreshore reserve at the end of Noela Pl, bringing it back to life, firstly with a proud new name, Ashley Chapman Reserve, as well as wall murals in tribute of its namesake.
Much work already has been done but now the group is looking for community support or grants to help them install a clean, fresh water source to the outside of the amenities block, shade structures over the picnic tables, barbecues and some all-age fitness equipment.
Group spokeswoman, Janet Clark-Duff, said the reserve had always been popular with walkers, dog walkers, and water sports enthusiasts, and for the past four decades until February 2020, it was the home of the Budgewoi Sailing Club, which regularly held weekend races from the foreshore.
“We’ve looked at other parks and reserves of similar size and they’re quite well fitted out,” she said.
“It’s a beautiful foreshore walk all the way from Budgewoi bridge up to the end of Bevington Shores at the end of Sunrise Ave.
“It’s also accessible for people with a disability, it’s very flat, has a large disability toilet and it’s easy to park.”
Over recent years, the reserve has become a target for unwelcome attention, graffiti and vandalism.
“Initially, that’s what got us moving because eventually Council closed the public toilets, including a disabled toilet, with a depressing sign ‘Closed due to Vandalism’, and they had scheduled them for demolition.
“This was hugely inconvenient for the people who enjoyed the reserve.
“The lake front was full of wrack and silt, and the foreshore was overgrown with weeds.
“There was some anti-social behaviour on a regular basis at night.
“Still, in the daytime, it was a beautiful place to sit and enjoy the lake view and the refreshing nor’easter on a hot day, or warm up in the winter sun.”
Clark-Duff said that in June 2019, the now suspended Councillor Jillian Hogan responded to community requests for assistance and since then a small dedicated group has worked tirelessly to make the reserve more user friendly.
“Our first priority was to improve the amenities and deter graffiti vandalism, the foreshore was cleaned up, three picnic tables were repainted, the weed problem was addressed, sandstone blocks now define a safe, shaded recreation area and a gate has been put on the entrance road off Natuna Ave to deter negative late-night usage.”
Recently, a local builder made a Little Library, and Council installed it.
Clark-Duff said the response to all these improvements has been overwhelmingly positive and daily usage of the reserve has increased noticeably and vandalism has decreased.
“Through collaboration between locals and Council staff, two beautiful photo filled murals have been installed on the amenities block, to discourage graffitists and give visitors a sense of the significance of this little reserve to the people of Budgewoi over the past 50 years or more.”
“Ashley Chapman Reserve was an obvious choice for the previously unnamed reserve and in November the sign was erected,” Clark-Duff said.
Chapman, who died in 2012, was a significant contributor to community life and co-founded Budgewoi Sailing Club, was a sailing teacher and environmentalist, but also had a fascinating life before his retirement to Budgewoi.
Sue Murray